All posts by Tor Chimney

Our Company

Hi, and welcome to TOR Chimney and Fireplace. We are a fireplace and chimney service company located in the Montgomery County area. We specialize in inspections, cleanings, repairs, installs and more. The goal of our company is to provide affordable and quality service to our community and neighborhood. We are a longstanding family business with deep roots in our local culture, and we are committed to making the wonderful homes of Montgomery County more beautiful by the day. We provide the finest inserts and materials of any fireplace stores in Montgomery County PA, and we’re proud to do so at competitive rates.

Fireplace Stores in Montgomery County PA Love Inserts

Fireplace inserts are essentially small heating systems that can be installed in any existing fireplace with functional ventilation. They employ cutting edge technology to provide the most efficient possible heating per energy consumed. Gas and wood stove inserts are two of the most popular insert types. Although they both provide greater energy efficiency, security and environmental cleanliness than traditional fireplaces, they each have benefits over the other in different areas.

Request a Consultation

If you’re interested in getting a wood stove or gas insert installed, contact us and request a consultation. Having trouble deciding between these two popular insert types? We’d love to talk it through with you and provide you with the solution that best fits the needs of your home. There are even more options besides these two, and our expert technicians will be more than happy to explain your options to you and inform you on which installation is best suited for your specifications. So get in touch with us today and get started on your path to home improvement.

The Best of Fireplace Stores in Bucks County PA

We are TOR Chimney & Fireplace, a home heating service company. We service all kinds of fireplaces, including wood stove, pellet stove, traditional wood-burning, gas fireplaces and more. Our range of services is comprehensive, and covers everything from inspections to cleanings and repairs to installations. Our team includes a wide range of experienced masonry specialists, dedicated to providing the Bucks County area with high quality service. Although fireplace stores in Bucks County PA can provide you with all kinds of additions and materials, it is best to hire a professional like one of ours to install fireplace elements in your home.

Leave Installs to the Pros

Here at TOR Chimney & Fireplace, we offer a wide range of services. Some of these services, such as a basic cleaning or inspection, can be completed by a homeowner or general handyman. But some of the more complex jobs should not be attempted by anyone other than a chimney and fireplace professional. Installing a heating appliance in your home can be very difficult, and if you don’t know the best practices, it can be costly and hazardous as well. An improperly ventilated appliance could pollute your home with toxic or combustible fumes. Alteration or removal of masonry could cause lasting structural damage to your home. Even for the DIY handyman, this is nothing to mess around with.

Although some other tasks can be completed to some effect by an informed homeowner, it is always best to go with a pro for anything more than a simple cleaning. Our years of experience means we have the knowledge to complete all projects safely and effectively. Please see our blog post on why you should have routine, professional cleanings for more info.

Get in Touch with TOR

If you’re interested in getting an insert or other heating appliance installed in your home, be smart. Contact a professional to do the job right and save yourself the trouble down the line. Request a consultation here at TOR Chimney. We’d love to talk to you about your needs and provide you with a quote for the job you want done.

TOR Chimney & Fireplace

Hello there! Welcome to TOR Chimney, a family business operation in the greater Philadelphia area. We are a small local business that loves to invest in our community. TOR Chimney employs specialists in each stage of the chimney maintenance lifecycle, and our technicians are trained to carry out every possible job to the highest quality. Whether you need a cleaning, repair, inspection or installation, you can trust TOR Chimney to get the job done. Even if you just have a question like “can you stucco over brick chimney?”, we’re here to support and guide you.

Can You Stucco Over Brick Chimney

The short answer is that yes, you can use stucco to repair a brick chimney. But in order to make a meaningful and lasting repair, you’ll need two extra steps before applying the stucco.

First, make sure you clean out the chipped brick to leave a sturdy foundation, with no loose pieces.

Second, you’ll want to apply a concrete bonding agent to the brick foundation. This will help the stucco stick to the brick and ensure lasting quality.

Along with these two steps, you should be able to mix the stucco and apply it to the desired area for a practical and simple repair. If the damage is major, you should first talk to a professional about your situation before attempting any patchwork or repair.

Many damages and fault lines in chimney brickwork can be indicative of other problems. Even in the case of minor damages, it is always worth consulting a specialist to be certain that your chimney is in a safe and functional state. For more information on signs your chimney needs repair, please see our blog post on the topic.

Contact

Need a repair done professionally? Interested in having a damage inspected? Got another problem or task that needs the attention of a qualified technician? Head over to our consultation requests page to get in touch with us and set up a time that works for you to talk about your chimney or fireplace needs. We’d love to help you out.

TOR Chimney & Fireplace

Hi there! We are TOR Chimney & Fireplace, a family business based in the greater Philadelphia area. We’re a local, community-focused operation that takes pride in the homes and families that we service. We are an expert team of technicians, specialists and handymen, and masters of every task within the chimney and fireplace ecosystem. For jobs as big as installs and as small as inspections, we take care to provide excellent and expert service on every call. Whether it’s a Real Fyre gas logs installation or a simple repair job, TOR Chimney is the premiere local service provider to get the job done.

Real Fyre Gas Logs Installation

Real Fyre gas logs are a great option for lovers of gas fireplaces, wood fireplaces, or both. They provide the efficiency and convenience of gas fireplaces along with the look and feel of wood fireplaces. Real Fyre logs can be installed in vented or unvented fireplaces depending on the type of log, and each type has its own pros and cons.

Vented Real Fyre logs:

Look more realistic

Must be installed in a functional wood-burning fireplace

Produces soot

Unvented Real Fyre logs:

More efficient heating system

Can be installed in a wider range of fireplaces

Some local and state codes do not allow unvented Real Fyre logs

Installations are a specialty of ours at TOR Chimney. For more information on how we install gas inserts and fireplace appliances, please see our installations and gas fireplace insert service pages.

Get Real Fyre Logs Today

Are you interested in upgrading your home with an efficient, beautiful and affordable heating system? You should consider looking into Real Fyre gas logs installation as your next investment. Contact us to here on our website to schedule a consultation, and we’d love to talk to you about getting an element installed to suit your needs. The holidays are almost here, but the winter season will last the next 3 months. Make sure your home stays warm this season with Real Fyre logs.

Flemington NJ Fireplace Repairs

The cold winter weather is rolling in. If you have lasting damages or faults in your chimney or fireplace that need repairs, then there’s no time like the present! We are TOR Chimney, a Flemington NJ fireplace and chimney company. We are a family business that has been operating successfully within our community for over 15 years. If you’re looking for a chimney service provider with the experience and prestige of a much larger institution, but the personality and customer focus of a local small business, then look no further.

TOR Chimney is a one-stop-shop for all your fireplace and chimney needs. We are experts in every task within the chimney and fireplace life cycle, including inspections, cleanings, repairs, installations and more.

Homeowner’s Insurance for Chimney Repairs

Believe it or not, under some conditions, chimney repairs can be covered by homeowner’s insurance. There is a clear distinction between cases that are not covered and those that are. Damages as a result of normal wear and tear over time are considered the responsibility of the homeowner to prevent through careful operation of the appliance. Repairs for these issues are not covered by homeowner’s insurance.

However, if in any case a sudden and unexpected event leads to chimney damages, those repairs will be covered by homeowner’s insurance. Chimney fires, lightning strikes, and many other unexpected disaster can demand repairs that homeowner’s insurance will cover for you. These cases can arise from complicated circumstances, so it is always best to do more in-depth research on your specific situation. That said, this is a reliable rule of thumb to follow for most cases of chimney repair under homeowner’s insurance.

Get Your Chimney Repaired

In need of a repair or chimney work this holiday season? Get in touch with us here at TOR Chimney to schedule your consultation. Whether or not your homeowner’s insurance will cover the damages, TOR Chimney will get the job done. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

About Us

We are TOR Chimney, a chimney and fireplace service company based in the Ambler PA area. We are fireplace Ambler PA experts, experienced in chimney and fireplace cleanings, repairs, cosmetic additions, installations and more. TOR Chimney & Fireplace is a family company, devoted to making our community the best that it can be. Our wide range of services has been the cornerstone of our success over the last 16 years, and gives us a more complete scope for the details of every job.

The holiday season is in full swing, and chimneys all over PA are sparking up again. As families come home for the festivities and gather around the fire, it’s good to know that your chimney and fireplace are well-maintained. Cleaning out your ashes regularly is a great idea, but is there anything useful you can do with them instead of throwing them in the trash?

Uses for Fireplace Ashes

The answer is yes! There are several clever everyday uses for fireplace ashes that you might consider this holiday season.

Fireplace Ambler PA Service

If you have any chimney or fireplace needs this season, remember TOR Chimney. Whether it’s routine maintenance or a specific issue, contact us today to schedule a consultation. We’d love to talk with you in person and identify your needs.

Chimney Repair Lansdale PA Experts

Hi there! We are TOR Chimney, trusted providers of chimney repair Lansdale PA. We are a small family business with a big vision, and we are committed to providing quality service to the homes of our community. TOR Chimney technicians are trained specialists in all areas of chimney and fireplace maintenance. Our expertise includes inspections, cleaning, repairs, installs and more. We’re the premiere chimney professionals in the Lansdale PA area, and loyal friends to our neighbors and patrons.

As the holiday season rolls around and families come home to gather around the fireplace, there’s no better time to think about the safety and maintenance of your chimney. Everyone gets their chimney cleaned once a year, but it’s always a good idea to keep your chimney well-maintained.

Tips for Maintaining Your Chimney

Burn hot fires. Keeping your fires well stoked while they burn is a good way to reduce creosote & chemical buildup in your chimney. Hot, blazing fires will burn more cleanly and emit fewer chemicals.

Sweep out your ashes. Sweep out your fireplace frequently to prevent large piles of old ash and dust. This will provide for cleaner fires and an overall better chimney experience.

Inspect your chimney for obvious faults and damage. Look at your brick lining from the outside to see if any cracks, loose bricks, or discoloring has occurred. Any one of these would be hazardous, and warrants professional intervention.

Make sure your flue is operating properly. Test your flue mechanism and verify that it opens and closes without issue.

Need a Repair?

Do you think that you might need a repair, or any other service that we offer? Get in touch with TOR Chimney as soon as possible to get your job done! Set up the date and times that would be best for your consultation, and we’ll meet with you to talk about your home and needs. For a breakdown of the repair services that we offer here at TOR, please visit our repairs page.

Answers from Lansdale PA Chimney Sweep

TOR Chimney and Fireplace is a family business located in the Lansdale PA area. We specialize in a variety of chimney-related tasks, including everything from inspections and cleanings to repairs and installations. We are the trusted Lansdale PA chimney sweep, and we take pride in the homes and businesses of the Lansdale area.

Chimney sweeping is an old profession, and although our company certainly offers a modern take, some of the practices within our business remain mysterious to many people, even when it comes to the more routine jobs like inspections and cleanings. In this blog, we’ll explain what really happens during inspections and cleanings.

Chimney Inspections and Cleanings

A chimney inspection is simple, and it’s exactly what it sounds like. A typical chimney inspection requires no more than a trained professional eye. In an inspection, a chimney technician will examine accessible areas of a chimney for obvious damages or visible problems. Inspections can be more serious if a danger is suspected. In these cases, a video inspection system is used, or in some extreme scenarios, parts of the chimney must be removed to inspect areas of concern. For more details on inspections, please see our inspection service page.

Chimney cleanings are simple if they are carried out professionally. In a cleaning, a chimney technician will use simple tools like brooms, vacuums and cloths to sanitize a fireplace and chimney. In some more serious cases, we will use motorized systems to scrape baked chemicals from the chimney lining. But as long as cleanings are happening regularly and carefully, dangerous chemical buildup shouldn’t become an issue. For more info on our chimney sweeping, please visit our chimney cleaning service page.

Need an Inspection or Cleaning?

If you’re in need of an inspection or cleaning, get in touch with TOR Chimney today. Set up a consultation with us where we can assess your individual needs and provide you with a quote for the things you want done. There’s no time like the present to maintain the safety of your home, so please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll have your back!

Chimney Sweep Yardley PA

We are TOR Chimney & Fireplace, a family business and the chimney sweep Yardley PA trusts. Our specialists are skilled in all aspects of chimney and fireplace upkeep. We provide high quality inspections, cleaning, repairs and installations at competitive prices. Our community is important to us, and we take pride in the homes and business of the Yardley area. Making and maintaining beautiful fireplaces is our stock and trade.

Inspections are an important part of the chimney and fireplace lifecycle. They are a natural part of every job, but they can differ significantly from situation to situation.

Inspection Levels

There are three basic degrees of chimney inspections. These are referred to as levels 1, 2 & 3. These levels of inspection become more and more extreme to accompany the level of the issue or threat at hand. Here is a breakdown of the 3 different levels of inspection.

Level 1: This level of inspection is conducted when a chimney is operating normally. It is a routine, top-level inspection. The technician will inspect accessible areas of the interior and exterior of the chimney.

Level 2: These inspections are required when there are changes made to the heating system. They are more in depth, and will examine accessible areas in attics, crawlspaces and other difficult-to-reach areas. Video inspections will also be conducted using specialty tools.

Level 3: These inspections take place in the direst situations when hazardous chemicals are suspected in the heating system. Level 3 inspections involve the removal of interior and exterior elements in order to access certain parts of the chimney.

To learn more about our inspection levels and practices, please visit our inspections service page.

Get in Touch

If you’re in need of a routine or urgent inspection, please contact us today. Set up a date and time for a consultation, and we can provide you with more specific information. We’d love to open up a conversation with you and prove our excellence.

Chimney Sweep Princeton NJ

We are TOR Chimney & Fireplace, the chimney sweep Princeton NJ residents trust. We fix, inspect, clean, and install chimneys every day throughout the area. In the 16 years since our company started, we have been tirelessly working to develop our relationship with the Princeton NJ community. We love the families and businesses that we service, and we’re always looking to improve the homes and hearths of our town.

It’s important to have a chimney sweep that you can trust. Yearly cleanings, regular inspections, and occasional repairs are par for the course when it comes to chimney upkeep. Ignoring these things can lead to costly problems and hazardous consequences. Chimney fires are a terrifying but easily avoidable issue so long as you keep your home up to code.

Chimney Fire Statistics

Chimney fires are usually a result of creosote buildup in the chute. They light inside the chimney, and can often burn for days before anyone notices. They can cause major damages, pollute air quality, and endanger the safety of your home.

There are roughly 25,000 chimney fires in America every year.

These are responsible for over $125,000,000 in property damages.

Creosote buildup is most common in wood fireplace chimneys.

Creosote can be easily cleaned by a professional chimney sweep.

Chimney fires can be a threat to your health and home. They can be difficult to detect. The easiest way to prevent chimney fires is to hire a professional to clean your chimney on a regular basis. This will eliminate creosote buildup and keep your chimney safe. Please see our blog post on the importance of chimney cleaning for more information.

Chimney Fire Prevention

If you think that your home may be at risk of creosote, chimney fires, or any other hazards, please don’t hesitate to contact us today. We’d love to set up a time to talk with you about your individual needs. When it comes to the safety of your home, there is no reason to be uncertain. So whether it is a cleaning, repair or inspection, let us have your back. You won’t be disappointed.